How
to Make a Mini-Sparkleball |
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Materials:
-
50
condiment cups 1 or
4 oz; must have slanted sides.
(shown next to 9 oz tumbler to show shape)
-
50 - 70 mini-lights
-
soldering iron (or use no-melt
method)
-
good ventilation
also
helpful: clothespins
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| NOTE:
Photos below show 9 oz cups, but the method is the same. |
1 |
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To
Begin: Melt a hole (approx 1/2 in) in the bottom
of all 50 cups. Test the hole to make sure a light will fit
in. If using 70 lights, add a second hole in 20 cups.
Divide
cups into two groups of 25. Each group makes half a ball. |
2 |
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Arrange
12 cups in a circle. If 12 cups does not make a circle, your
cups aren't the right size or shape.
Clothespins
hold the cups in place while you work. |
3 |
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Press
hot iron through one cup to the next, at cup bottoms. Hold
melted part to cool and form a strong bond.
This
is Layer One. |
4 |
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Place
9 cups around and on top of Layer One. There will be some
gaps. (Blue cups show placement.) Solder each cup
to at least two other cups, at their bases. Let joints cool
before moving to next cup.
This
is Layer Two. |
5 |
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Fit
the last 4 cups into the space left at the top of the dome.
Join them. Work close to cup bottoms and attach each cup to
at least three other cups. (Blue cups show placement.)
This
is Layer Three. |
6 |
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Remove
clothespins. Now reinforce the ball-half all over, by melting
joints between cup rims wherever they touch. (I notch
them.) Where cup rims don't meet, do not force them to-- hard
cups may crack or pull apart. Soft cups are more flexible.
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7 |

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IMPORTANT!
TEST LIGHTS BEFORE YOU INSERT THEM.
To insert lights: Start
at prong end of the cord. Insert the light closest to prong
into a cup in Layer One. (The prong will then hang out when
you put the two halves together.)
Put
one or two lights in each cup. Work your way around the ball-half,
zigzaging from outer cups to inner cups and back. You want
to end up on Layer One, at the cup next to one you started
with.
Work
slowly, careful not to skip a cup or miss a light. If you
crack a cup, that's ok.
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8 |
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Set
aside the completed half. Build the second half just like you
did the first. (Steps 1 - 7) |
9 |
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On
the second half, insert lights starting from the opposite
end of the cord (the plug end.) Start with any cup but make
sure you finish on Layer One. (If you plan to hang several
balls together, make sure the plug end hangs out between the
cups, as well.)
Have
clothespins ready to clips halves together once lights are
in place. |
10 |

Photograph
does not show clothespins, but they make this step much easier. |
Press
the two halves together, making them fit nicely. When you
join them-- be careful not to burn the lights or wire.
Go
over the sparkleball, making sure each cup is joined to at
least two other cups. This is one of the most important steps.
Take your time. |
11 |
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Hangers
for sparkleballs can be made in a variety of ways. To use
chain and two "s" hooks (as shown). choose the top
of your sparkleball. Melt a hole between two well-connected
cups. Insert one "s" hook into the hole and close.
Add chain and second "s" hook. Zipties, clear fishing
line, ribbon are other ideas for hanging. |
12 |
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Plug
in and enjoy!
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To
Use a Plier Stapler:
1.
use soft cups
2.
make holes in cup bottoms for lights with soldering iron or
power drill
3.
Use heavy staples and staple at top and bottom of cup
See
No-Melt instructions
as well. |